By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow
In a recent development, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported the detection of eight aircraft and eight naval vessels from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China operating in the vicinity of Taiwan. In response to this situation, Taiwan’s Armed Forces have taken appropriate measures. As stated by the MND, “Eight PLAN aircraft and eight PLAN vessels were detected operating around Taiwan. One of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern ADIZ. The Republic of China Armed Forces have been monitoring the situation and have responded accordingly.”
Taiwan had detected the presence of 27 Chinese aircraft and seven naval vessels in the strait. The MND reported that 19 of these aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering Taiwan’s southwestern sector and eastern ADIZ. On May 15, the MND detected 45 PLA aircraft and six PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan. Among these, 26 aircraft crossed the median line, entering Taiwan’s northern and southwestern ADIZ. This heightened activity in the Taiwan Strait region shows the extend of the escalating geopolitical tensions between Taiwan and China, as reported by Taiwan News.
When comparing the military capabilities of Taiwan and China, it’s clear that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is superior in terms of numbers. China boasts active personnel of 2,035,000 and a defense budget of $230 billion. In contrast, Taiwan has 169,000 active personnel and a defense budget of $19 billion.
However, Taiwan has been proactive in bolstering its defense capabilities. It has large inventories of anti-air, anti-tank, and anti-ship weapons and ammunition, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and mobile coastal defense cruise missiles (CDCMs). These low-cost munitions have the capacity to destroy China’s expensive naval vessels and equipment. China considers Taiwan a renegade province and has repeatedly expressed intentions to reunify it with the mainland, even if by force.
Taiwan’s detection of Chinese incursion serves as a stark reminder of the volatile security situation in the region. It underscores the need for Taiwan to continue strengthening its defense capabilities and for the international community to remain vigilant about the developments in the Taiwan Strait.
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While the threat of a costly armed engagement may encourage Beijing to pursue non-military scenarios to try to coerce Taiwan under its control, the situation remains complex and fluid. As such, it is crucial for all stakeholders to engage in dialogue and confidence-building measures to maintain stability and peace in the region.
Taiwan has been a longstanding issue for Beijing, which views the island as a breakaway province. Beijing has consistently expressed its intention to reunify Taiwan with the mainland, even if it necessitates the use of force. Over the past few years, Taiwan’s MND has been issuing daily reports on Chinese military activities, including the identification of Chinese aircraft, drones, and balloons that have crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait into Taiwanese territory.
